As many of you know I have a younger mini me. Her name is Isabel and she is the light of my life. From the very beginning of this process she has encouraged me to follow my dreams. I vividly remember sitting in our kitchen floor talking and crying after I was accepted. She looked at me and said “K it isn’t about what I want you to do or what mom and dad want you to do, it’s about what God wants you to do.” In that moment I fell apart. She was so right. My sweet, beautiful, hilarious, smart sister grasped this calling on my life.
She says things to me like “let’s go to the park and feel infinite”, I’m fairly certain she stole this from a movie but I’m ok with it! She lights up a room when she walks in it. She drives me crazy and steals my shampoo and the toilet paper out of my bathroom but I love her more than any human on this planet. She is mature beyond her years. She reminds me what it means to be young and carefree. She is the shoulder I cry on and the one who hears all my worries and fears. She is brave and I admire her more than she knows. Today is one of those days when I can’t bear the thought of leaving her behind. Instead of coming undone and breaking down I decided to write her a letter for when I’m gone. Keep us both in your prayers over this next year because I’m fairly certain after you read this you’ll understand why.
A letter to you my sweet Isabel,
It pains me to know I will miss out on so many things in your life this next year. Your Sweet Sixteen being one of them. I’ll miss the little day to day things like watching you have your own dance party. I’ll miss cleaning the kitchen with you, good luck doing that solo by the way! I’ll miss our sister talks, snuggling in my bed, taking you driving, laughing until we cry, and the list goes on and on and on.
Here’s what I want you to know. I see you raising your hands in youth group worshipping. I see you being the bigger person in the situation even when you don’t want to be. I see your compassion and love for others in multiple ways. I see God moving in your little heart and shaping you in to a beautiful young woman. He has plans for you. BIG ones. You always said you wanted to be a singer when you were little, now it’s owning the Aqua Bakery! Whatever your dream is, don’t be afraid to follow it! Know that you are surrounded by people who love and adore you. Pursue a relationship with God. This is the most important piece of advice I can give you. When I was your age I neglected to pursue a real relationship with Him. I can tell you now that when you do He truly gives you the desires of your heart. Don’t be afraid to proclaim your faith, it is the one thing no one can take away from you!
Have fun! Be silly and laugh with your friends. Go to football games, have sleepovers, and make memories that you won’t forget. Go feel infinite. You are a genius, keep those grades up and be proud of yourself for being a smarty pants. Listen to mom and dad. When they say “it builds character” they mean it. They will annoy you but they have your best interest at heart …always. Hug Granny tight for me and remind her we love her the most. Be nice to Vaden even when he smells bad. He looks up to you more than you know and one day you will adore him again, I promise! Aggravate Max every now and then to remind him that we love him. Be kind to everybody. Don’t compare yourself to others, it only steals your joy. Be yourself and don’t apologize for being awesome!
I’m praying this next year flies by so that I can get home to you but I also pray that it will be a year of growth for both of us. This experience is going to change us forever. We are both going to have to depend on God to get us through the really hard days. There will be good days to don’t worry. I pray that He will use our time apart to strengthen our bond as sisters. You are my joy and not seeing you every day will be heart wrenching. Thank you for your love and constant encouragement. You are one of my biggest fans and I couldn’t be more proud to call you my sister. You make me proud every single day. I love you more than you could possibly comprehend. I hope you come back to this and read it over and over until you feel glad again.
Love always,
Your big sister and best friend
